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DreamWorks Animation Creates Children's Books Imprint

Studio to Publish, Rather Than License, Print and Digital Titles Based on Its Movies

DreamWorks Animation is diversifying into children's books, starting its own publishing unit that will issue titles based on DreamWorks movies such as "Kung Fu Panda." WSJ's Jeffrey Trachtenberg has more. Photo: DreamWorks/Everett Collection.

DreamWorks Press, which will publish books in print and digital form, is the latest part of an effort by the animation studio to diversify beyond the high-risk movie business. Previous steps involved theme parks, a consumer-products business and the acquisition of an online video network.

"The last 18 months have been about expansion and diversification," DreamWorks Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said in an interview....